1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. The play begins with a quick recap of Brenda's childhood surrounded by the L.A. County Flood Control and the Carson oil fields. She introduces Aunti Mary, the queen of the Westside who had a beautiful rose garden and was the only woman who could stop a fight by embarrassing the culprits. She also introduces her boyfriend who described Westside as the best side. The actual scene takes place in 1966 and Brenda Wong Aoki is 13 years old at the time. She works in her dad's pharmacy and describes the regulars as if they are family. She meets Kali, her future boyfriend through Aunti Mary who buys her medicine through the gifts she gives her dad.
2. What is the intrusion? The intrusion is when Brenda enters her high school as the gifted Westsider. This event is the sole cause for all of the events that proceed after finding out her boyfriend Kali is at 12 o'clock High. She is forced to meet new people who do not come from her side of town which emerges her into new experiences, new ways of thinking and a new mindset.
3. What is the unique factor? The day the narrator tells the story of her past and introduces the characters that will be involved in her future.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play? Will Kali change his ways? Will Brenda find a decent life free of her past?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. 1. Information known to all or most characters In Part 4, Sherry informs Brenda Kali sold Smoke to the DEA and now Smoke, the Pinoy's and Guamanians are after Kali. Brenda did not know this information but most of the characters did. Brenda, being the narrator, has informed the audience of this crucial information needed in order for the audience to understand the events coming after. 2. Information only one character knows Of course, only Brenda knows her own story, the reasons for decisions, and her emotions toward the characters, however, only
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be. The most the theatrical moment was the ending of the play when the shootout took place. It dramatically brings the play to a close and has the reader frantically reading till the last word in order to see the outcome. It shows how life on the Westside could corrupt ones who called each other family and how it repeatedly creates products that destroy relationships and the well being of the community.
7. List some of the themes of the play. Growth Past vs. Present
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants? The narrator wants a fresh start and a new life outside of the Westside. She wants to be something better than her friends and family, however, her friends and family constantly pull her back into the area she continuously runs away from. Her family wants her back home to help out but she wants to be independent and worry about her own life and no one else's. Kali is stuck in the "Westside is the only thing I know" mentality and does not want to explore other options and become better than what everyone thinks he is going to be. Remaining in the Westside keeps her life static and she does not like it.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play. The garden has a huge importance because it is involved in the story nonstop, shes affiliated with garden and has been her whole life. The story ends at the garden, she gets her first kiss at the garden etc. Another image is the ocean, Brenda constantly reminisces about the waves and the smell of the water and brings her serenity and peace. Also, that is what connects her and Kali in the beginning of their relationship.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. Although during Brenda's older aged years she did not get along with her family very well, she always came back. The bond of the Westsiders also symbolized a sense of family for Brenda because she continued to resurface in the place she grew up which she disliked. Although she would rather start a new life with fresher air, she continuously came back because her family was important to her.
The play begins with a quick recap of Brenda's childhood surrounded by the L.A. County Flood Control and the Carson oil fields. She introduces Aunti Mary, the queen of the Westside who had a beautiful rose garden and was the only woman who could stop a fight by embarrassing the culprits. She also introduces her boyfriend who described Westside as the best side. The actual scene takes place in 1966 and Brenda Wong Aoki is 13 years old at the time. She works in her dad's pharmacy and describes the regulars as if they are family. She meets Kali, her future boyfriend through Aunti Mary who buys her medicine through the gifts she gives her dad.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is when Brenda enters her high school as the gifted Westsider. This event is the sole cause for all of the events that proceed after finding out her boyfriend Kali is at 12 o'clock High. She is forced to meet new people who do not come from her side of town which emerges her into new experiences, new ways of thinking and a new mindset.
3. What is the unique factor?
The day the narrator tells the story of her past and introduces the characters that will be involved in her future.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Kali change his ways?
Will Brenda find a decent life free of her past?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. Information known to all or most characters
In Part 4, Sherry informs Brenda Kali sold Smoke to the DEA and now Smoke, the Pinoy's and Guamanians are after Kali. Brenda did not know this information but most of the characters did. Brenda, being the narrator, has informed the audience of this crucial information needed in order for the audience to understand the events coming after.
2. Information only one character knows
Of course, only Brenda knows her own story, the reasons for decisions, and her emotions toward the characters, however, only
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most the theatrical moment was the ending of the play when the shootout took place. It dramatically brings the play to a close and has the reader frantically reading till the last word in order to see the outcome. It shows how life on the Westside could corrupt ones who called each other family and how it repeatedly creates products that destroy relationships and the well being of the community.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Growth
Past vs. Present
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
The narrator wants a fresh start and a new life outside of the Westside. She wants to be something better than her friends and family, however, her friends and family constantly pull her back into the area she continuously runs away from. Her family wants her back home to help out but she wants to be independent and worry about her own life and no one else's. Kali is stuck in the "Westside is the only thing I know" mentality and does not want to explore other options and become better than what everyone thinks he is going to be. Remaining in the Westside keeps her life static and she does not like it.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The garden has a huge importance because it is involved in the story nonstop, shes affiliated with garden and has been her whole life. The story ends at the garden, she gets her first kiss at the garden etc.
Another image is the ocean, Brenda constantly reminisces about the waves and the smell of the water and brings her serenity and peace.
Also, that is what connects her and Kali in the beginning of their relationship.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Although during Brenda's older aged years she did not get along with her family very well, she always came back. The bond of the Westsiders also symbolized a sense of family for Brenda because she continued to resurface in the place she grew up which she disliked. Although she would rather start a new life with fresher air, she continuously came back because her family was important to her.